India has seen a significant growth in tourism last year with increases recorded in both foreign and domestic tourist visits, according to data recently issued by the Ministry of Tourism. Foreign tourist visits in the country increased by 24.2% in 2010 from a year earlier, while domestic tourism grew by 10.7%. Left, an Indian woman walked past a giant poster promoting tourist destinations in the Indian state of Orissa at a tourism fair in Hyderabad, in India's state of Andhra Pradesh, July 8, 2011.

India has seen a significant growth in tourism last year with increases recorded in both foreign and domestic tourist visits, according to data recently issued by the Ministry of Tourism. Foreign tourist visits in the country increased by 24.2% in 2010 from a year earlier, while domestic tourism grew by 10.7%. Left, an Indian woman walked past a giant poster promoting tourist destinations in the Indian state of Orissa at a tourism fair in Hyderabad, in India's state of Andhra Pradesh, July 8, 2011.

Last year, Maharashtra recorded 5.1 million foreign visitors and 48.5 million domestic tourists. Among the state's many attractions are the ancient Ajanta and Ellora caves, the shrine of Shirdi, ancient forts, beaches and the city of Mumbai. Left, tourists visited the Ellora Caves near the city of Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

Last year, Maharashtra recorded 5.1 million foreign visitors and 48.5 million domestic tourists. Among the state's many attractions are the ancient Ajanta and Ellora caves, the shrine of Shirdi, ancient forts, beaches and the city of Mumbai. Left, tourists visited the Ellora Caves near the city of Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

Andhra Pradesh recorded the highest number of domestic tourist visits in the country with 155.8 million visits this year. The state has made considerable efforts to improve its tourism infrastructure. People visit the state largely for its pilgrimage sites and mayor tourist attractions include Tirupati Temple, Hyderabad's Charminar monument and the state's many Buddhist sites. Left, artists representing the state of Gujarat performed at Hyderabad's travel fair, July 8, 2011.

Andhra Pradesh recorded the highest number of domestic tourist visits in the country with 155.8 million visits this year. The state has made considerable efforts to improve its tourism infrastructure. People visit the state largely for its pilgrimage sites and mayor tourist attractions include Tirupati Temple, Hyderabad's Charminar monument and the state's many Buddhist sites. Left, artists representing the state of Gujarat performed at Hyderabad's travel fair, July 8, 2011.

Overall, the Ministry of Tourism estimates 757.9 million tourists visited sites in India. Of these, 740 million were domestic tourists and 17.9 million were foreign tourists. In 2009 there were 669 million domestic tourists and 14.4 million foreign visitors. Left, a tourist posed in front of the Taj Mahal, India's most famous tourist destination, in the northern Indian city of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, December 2010.

Overall, the Ministry of Tourism estimates 757.9 million tourists visited sites in India. Of these, 740 million were domestic tourists and 17.9 million were foreign tourists. In 2009 there were 669 million domestic tourists and 14.4 million foreign visitors. Left, a tourist posed in front of the Taj Mahal, India's most famous tourist destination, in the northern Indian city of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, December 2010.

Madhya Pradesh was praised by the Ministry of Tourism for showing impressive growth rates in recent years. It attracted 38.1% more domestic tourists in 2010 than in the previous year. Left, Indian classical dancer Malobika Mitra performed in front of one of the temples of Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, March 1999.

Madhya Pradesh was praised by the Ministry of Tourism for showing impressive growth rates in recent years. It attracted 38.1% more domestic tourists in 2010 than in the previous year. Left, Indian classical dancer Malobika Mitra performed in front of one of the temples of Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, March 1999.

The southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu attracts the second-largest number of foreign tourists and the third-largest number of domestic tourists. The overall figure in 2010 was 114.4 million tourists. India's southernmost state is home to the ancient Ratha Temple, Mudumalai National Park and large number of beaches. Left, a boy somersaulted at Chennai's Marina beach, Jan. 6, 2010.

The southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu attracts the second-largest number of foreign tourists and the third-largest number of domestic tourists. The overall figure in 2010 was 114.4 million tourists. India's southernmost state is home to the ancient Ratha Temple, Mudumalai National Park and large number of beaches. Left, a boy somersaulted at Chennai's Marina beach, Jan. 6, 2010.